REASONS TO BUY
Great weather resistance
Long-lasting DWR
Breathable
Pack-friendly pockets
Helmet-compatible hood maintains good peripheral vision
REASONS TO AVOID
Average weight and compressed size
Bulky cut
REI Co-op Stormbolt GTX Review
Top tier weather protection and breathability, coupled with an excellent set of outdoor oriented features make this one of our favorite models for soggy excursions into the backcountry
Credit: REI Co-op
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Our Verdict
The REI Co-op Stormbolt GTX offers some of the best overall weather protection and breathability in our review. This coupled with its outdoor-centric features like raised, pack-friendly handwarmer pockets, helmet-compatible hood, large pit zips, and layering-friendly cut makes it ideal for folks who still find themselves going out into the backcountry whether the weather is rain or shine. While not the lightest or most compressible option the Stormbolt is hardly heavy either and ranked pretty average overall in our review. Plus for those 4-6 more extra ounces over an Ultralite model, you get a significantly more storm-worthy shell.
Our Analysis and Test Results
One of REI's higher-end pieces of rain gear, the Stormbolt GTX is a function-oriented piece of storm protection geared for the outdoors. With some of the best weather protection in our review, along with raised, pack-friendly handwarmer pockets, a helmet-compatible hood, and a layering-oriented fit, this is a jacket that any outdoor enthusiast will appreciate.
Performance Comparison
The Stormbolt is one of our review teams' favorite overall models. Its versatility and all-around performance can be appreciated by almost any user but is most welcomed by backpackers, climbers, and hikers who will most appreciate the majority of its features which feature more a nod towards outdoor activities than most others we tested.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Water Resistance
The Stormbolt uses a 3-layer construction with a Gore-Tex membrane. It performed exceptionally well in all of our tests, proving to be one of the absolute best models at keeping us dry, even for extended periods in heavy rain.
After directly comparing it to the rest of the products in our fleet, via a series of hose and shower tests, as well as a week-long backpacking trip in the North Cascades, it truly impressed all of our testers.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
It took longer to “wet out” than some in our fleet, and its hood, front zipper, and cuffs did a great job of sealing out the elements. Its front zipper isn't a true waterproof zipper, and it's designed with a
minimal storm flap on the bottom; however, this was not an issue for us during testing.
Featuring one of our favorite hood designs, the Storm bolt maintains very good peripheral vision and with the cinch of a toggle, stayed put during aerobic activities or in windier conditions, regardless of headwear.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Hood Design
All of our testers loved the oversized hood; it features a wide range of adjustments, yet still maintains some of the best peripheral vision of any model we tested. It easily fit over nearly all bike or climbing helmets, but still cinched down nicely on just our bare heads. If you have a particularly bulky helmet, this model should still fit — it just might be a little tight.
The Stormbolt's well-designed hood maintains excellent peripheral vision. All of our testers were easily able to turn their heads side-to-side without their face turning into the jacket and found it to be one of the nicer hoods overall in the review.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Breathability and Venting
The Stormbolt's Gore-Tex fabric is among the more breathable options in our review, particularly if we are working hard — which is when you generally want a jacket to breathe more.
Made with a thin face fabric and a Gore-tex membrane this model was one of the more breathable in our review and was among the last clammy feeling especially among the non-air permeable models.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Generally, air-permeable models have a lower but more fixed level of breathability. In contrast, this amount of breathability in this model (and all other Gore-Tex options) fluctuates more depending on internal heat build-up, and to a lesser extent, external temperature.
When we were building up heat, say during a hike, this model (as well as most others in our review featuring Gore PacLite Plus and Gore-Active) breathed better than models featuring an air-permeable fabric, such as the Outdoor Research Microgravity or the Rab Kinetic Plus. However, these models performed better if it was exceptionally hot and humid out, or once we had cooled off (say, while setting up camp), and allowed us to keep drying out.
One of the few jackets in this category (Gore-tex, sub-$300 and sub-1-pound in weight) to feature pit zips. While the Outdoor Research Foray would also fit in this category for those who run warm should take note that this model offers functional (but otherwise unnoteworthy) pit zips to help facilitate dumping heat even while hiking up the trail in a heavy downpour.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Comfort & Mobility
The Stormbolt's articulated shoulders offer decent mobility. We could reach our arms straight in front of us and straight up with, minimal movement at the hem and cuffs.
We found this model to offer slightly above-average freedom of movement and range of motion. We think some of that comes from good articulation but some also comes from its slightly baggier-than-average cut.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
While we liked the freedom of movement, we do think some of this mobility comes from its slightly boxy cut. It isn't so big that you need to size down, but it is slightly on the bigger side, and is certainly cut with layering in mind.
Overall this model's modestly mobility-oriented and layering-friendly cut allowed for an above-average range of motion and made the Drypoint suitable for most outdoor activities, even the fairly rigorous. Our testers could lift their arms forward and raise them above their heads with very little sleeve pull-back.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Pocket Design
Our entire review team absolutely loved the pocket set up, particularly for those looking for a more outdoor-focused piece of rainwear. Its handwarmer pockets are slightly raised, keeping them accessible, even with the waist belt of a pack on. More importantly, having the pockets raised up of the way means they are unlikely to pinch your hips if the zipper gets pinned under the waist belt. We like the single, Napoleon style chest pocket, which was big enough to fit a smartphone, and was completely waterproof.
All of our testers appreciated the functionally positioned pockets that didn't pinch and remained accessible even when wearing a pack with a waist belt or a harness.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Weight
At 14.5 ounces, the Stormbolt weighs an average weight among models in our fleet. As far as a hardshell goes, it's on the lighter end of the spectrum.
It's on par with other models in its price and performance range. It's still light enough for most backpackers and hikers, and packs in significantly more weather protection than any sub 10 ounce model. While it is a little heavier, it provides better weather protection for only 4-5 ounces more of weight.
The Stormbolt was one of the few models that didn't compress into a reversible pocket which wasn't a big deal to most of our testers but we found it pretty average overall in our review. Here it is next to a 1-Litter Nalgene for size reference.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Packed Size
Similar to weight, this model is pretty middle-of-the-road in this metric. It's compressible enough for most outdoor enthusiasts and is ideal to carry as a just in case layer.
Lead tester Ian Nicholson swapping into the Stormbolt.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
While this model offered okay weight and packed size performance, these two attributes are what kept it from earning our top award. The Arc'teryx Zeta SL offered similar performance characteristics for weather protection and breathability and was 3.5 ounces lighter and 15-20% more packable, pushing it into the top spot.
The Stormbolt offers pretty average overall packability and is seen here, the second model from the left with a number of other models in our review.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Durability
This model is made with 30-denier ripstop nylon and is reinforced with a slightly thicker 40-denier ripstop nylon in the shoulders/waist.
This was fairly average, with the Stormbolt providing middle of the road abrasion and tear resistance. Our review team was impressed by the longevity of its DWR, and its ability to bead water and not wet out.
While you can buy a rain jacket for roughly half the price of this model, the Storm bolt will easily outperform these more price-oriented models. Overall we think this jacket represents an excellent value as it performs near as well or as well as several jackets that are $100 more expensive.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Value
The Stormbolt is fairly expensive; however, it presents a good value. It bring a high level of performance, particularly among jackets in the sub $200 range, particularly in weather protection and breathability.
The Stormbolt's top-tier weather resistance and breathability, a host of very function oriented features coupled with respectable weight and packed volume, make it one of the more most versatile jackets we tested. A
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Conclusion
The REI Stormbolt GTX is a top-tier contender; it's perfect for any outdoor enthusiast, and brings across-the-board performance that any user hunting for a reliable rain shell will appreciate. From its raised handwarmer pockets to its oversized hood, the majority of this model's features are geared towards outdoor users. It also boasts excellent weather resistance and breathability, and is prepared to keep you dry for days of stormy weather when out on the trail.
—Ian Nicholson
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